Step 1: pre-course reading
Managing Suicidal Risk: A Collaborative Approach (3rd Edition) – Professor David A. Jobes
This is the only authorised book on the CAMS framework and forms the foundation of our training pathway. The book introduces the clinical principles, core structure and therapeutic rationale behind CAMS, ensuring learners arrive at training with a consistent understanding of how the model works in practice.
Why this book matters
CAMS is a suicide-specific, collaborative approach used across a wide range of health, care, and education settings. The book supports a deeper understanding of:
- What makes CAMS different from traditional risk assessments
- How the Suicide Status Form (SSF) structures safe, therapeutic conversations
- The theory behind collaborative risk formulation and dynamic safety planning
- Evidence from multiple randomised controlled trials
- CAMS in context—how it works across various clinical populations and systems of care
Having a shared grounding in the core text allows participants to get more out of the live training elements, especially role-play, supervision and implementation planning.
What the 3rd edition includes
This updated and expanded edition reflects the most recent developments in suicide prevention research and practice. Over 65% of the content is new, including:
Updated evidence base
Incorporates findings from seven published RCTs and five ongoing trials, reflecting the growing global research on CAMS.
Enhanced tools and templates
Includes reproducible versions of the Suicide Status Form (SSF) and introduces two new optional tools:
- Living Status Form (LSF) – for reflection on post-crisis wellbeing
- Stabilisation Support Plan (SSP) – designed for working with significant others to extend the safety plan beyond the therapy room
Focus on real-world practice
Presents clinical scenarios from diverse settings, including community, inpatient, youth and education-based services.
A resource for long-term reference
This is not just a one-time reading task. Many clinicians return to this book regularly in their practice – for case examples, documentation templates, or supervision discussions. It supports not only the learning process, but also reflective practice and ongoing fidelity to the model.
About the author
Professor David A. Jobes is the founder of the CAMS framework and an internationally recognised leader in suicide prevention. He has published seven books and over 150 peer-reviewed papers on the topic. This third edition marks the culmination of more than 35 years of clinical and academic work focused on developing safe, effective, and person-centred care for individuals experiencing suicidal distress.
How to access the book
Participants will be provided with access to the book when they register for training. We provide it in a digital format, or a physical copy can be purchased separately from Amazon. We recommend setting aside time to complete the reading before moving on to the video course, as it provides important context for the next stages of learning.
If you have already completed CAMS training and have lost your book, please contact us.
Need support with accessing materials?
If you have any questions about ordering, reading deadlines, or how the text fits into the training structure, we’re happy to help.
Contact the CAMS-care UK team